North-East transfer gossip: Wednesday, July 2

MARVIN EMNES will finally join Swansea City today, but when will Middlesbrough announce their first big capture of the summer?

There is talk of a £1m offer for Huddersfield’s Adam Clayton. As things stand that is not the case, but the two clubs have talked and Boro do like him.

Like a few times already this summer, Middlesbrough are trying to pursue their transfer targets but so far they have been unable to lure the likes of Lewis Grabban, Juanfran or Adam Le Fondre. Will the Clayton chase end differently?

The 25-year-old would be a different option in the midfield for Aitor Karanka. It all depends on just how much Huddersfield demand for him, with Boro’s biggest wish this summer being an exciting new striker.

Transfer likelihood rating: 7/10

Middlesbrough are not the only club seeking a new midfielder, with Sunderland still pressing ahead on a number of fronts to try to strengthen Gustavo Poyet’s squad.

Jordi Gomez might have already arrived to boost numbers in the middle following the departures of Ki Sung-Yueng, Craig Gardner and Jack Colback, but Poyet knows he still needs at least one more.

As things stand the midfielder highest in the Sunderland boss’ thinking is Cardiff City’s Jordon Mutch. Given he has entered the final year of his contract in South Wales, Sunderland’s chances of landing him have been boosted.

Mutch, 22, is an attacking midfielder and is rated by the Bluebirds in the £5m bracket. Sunderland are understood to be willing to pay around the £3.5m mark, which was what cost them when they tried to lure Robert Snodgrass to Wearside.

Will Mutch be the fourth arrival of the summer at the Stadium of Light?

Transfer likelihood rating: 6/10

DAVID Moberg Karlsson? He is more well known in the North-East for being a flop than a footballer. He is only a young forward, but he was completely overlooked following his arrival from Goteborg last summer.

Now he could be heading back to his former club on loan, with Sunderland showing no desire to get him involved next season either. The 20-year-old would like to succeed in the Premier League, but Goteborg are keen to take him back.

Transfer likelihood rating: 5/10

THERE is always a Newcastle player at the centre of a summer transfer tussle and it would seem this time around it is going to be all about Mathieu Debuchy.

The French full-back, who has been impressive at the World Cup, is wanted by Arsenal but it has emerged that Marseille are also keen to take him back to France.

When Debuchy first arrived at St James’ Park 18 months ago from Lille it was to play in the Premier League, so it would be a major u-turn if he opted to head for Marseille.

However, he does have the prospect of playing in the Champions League, so it could depend on whether Marseille are willing to match his Newcastle wage and the Magpies’ £13m valuation.

Transfer likelihood rating: 4/10

SIEM De Jong is close to finalising a cut-price £7m move to St James'. Sources in Holland claim the 25-year-old is expected to pen a five-year deal at St James’ Park, just months after his brother Luuk De Jong had an unsuccessful loan on Tyneside.

The Ajax attacking midfielder has been on the Magpies’ radar for more than a year but a fresh move has proven successful because he has entered the final 12 months of his contract.

Newcastle have previously been quoted nearer to £15m for his services but Ajax fear losing him for nothing next summer when he becomes a free agent.

Transfer likelihood rating: 9/10

ONE player already on his way out of Newcastle is Romain Amalfitano. Remember him?

It is only two years since Newcastle agree to take him from the French second division side Reims, with hopes across the English Channel that he could become a success story on Tyneside.

That could not have been further from the truth. Amalfitano might have had a good pre-season that year, including a starring role in a friendly win at Hartlepool, but he has never got a look in in the Premier League.

He only made five appearances for Newcastle and he travelled to France to finalise a permanent switch to Dijon, where he spent last season on loan. He has signed a three-year deal.